“What did we discuss?” Sigvid’s gruff voice echoes back at them.
“We haven't been properly introduced.” Isabel rests her arms on the bars, her forearms dangling outside.
He ignores her.
“How intriguing that thegreatKing and Queen trust you, considering your past, Iss Drengr.” She says ‘great’ with more sarcasm than Edmund has ever uttered.
Calder remains silent even as he squeezes his fists, wanting nothing more than to smash her head against the bars.
“Lavinia writes often. I fear she still hopes you will deliver her latest request.” Isabel sneers. “I daresay the other Jarls are chomping at the bit to deliver theirwilling sacrifice. Guy, in particular, wants to test out that sweet pussy first. Too bad I beat him there.”
Calder whips around as she withdraws her arms through the bars, but he is quicker. To her utter horror, he grabs her wrist through the bars and pulls it back. He applies a small patch of ice to her skin. She shrieks and struggles as it fades, leaving the shape of a blackened snowflake against the inside of her wrist.
Isabel recoils.
He makes an eerie tisking noise. “It appears you do not have long to live, Miss Kilton. Four months at most.” He rubs his hands together while she focuses intently on the blackseidrmark. “Your body will die as the frost creeps through your organs and veins, freezing you from the inside out.”
“And they called my father an Abyss spawn!” She tightly clutches her wrist while placing distance between them.
“Then you should know what kind of demon I am.”
Aura and Sigvid return, both looking worse for wear.
“I have questions about the letter we found on you.” Sigvid crosses his arms, giving Isabel a savage glare.
Her gaze does not leave the black snowflake frozen into her flesh, nor does she react to his question.
The Lord Commander continues asking her variations of inquiries related to the cryptic letter she had on her.
“Tell us about this J.R. who sent you these strange instructions. A friend? Timber Lord?”
When she shows no signs of responding, he throws up his hands in defeat and ushers Aura into the main room.
Calder gives Isabel a final warning look before following them out.
“I meant what I said,” Sigvid scolds his daughter, who looks as if she is ready to rip him in half. “You need to be more careful about the people you spend time with.” He gestures to Isabel.
With a nod to Calder, the King leaves the jail.
“We should go.” He gently places a hand on her lower back.
She remains silent as they step into the now cloudy morning of Toftlund. Once they turn the corner onto the cobblestones and head toward the gate leading to Blackwood, she spins around and gazes up at him with tear-filled eyes.
“I was kidnapped as a child. I don’t remember the incident, but my parents were never the same.” She looks away. “Father didn’t welcome friends of mine unless he interrogated everyone they ever knew.”
I knew Sigvid was strict, but this is a new level, even if it is slightly justified.He gently rubs her back, encouraging her to continue.
“Connections with others became cumbersome,” she strokes her arm as if reassuring herself. “My father favored my time with those close in age who had Drengr parents, like Kjarton. Anyone else was subject to his intense scrutiny.” Her shoulders slump. “It has been easier not to engage deeply with another person.”
His heart sinks at the sight of her pain. In a rare, comforting gesture, he gently brushes her curls behind her ear.
“I never truly loved her.” She whispers. “I cared deeply for Isabel, but I never let myself get close enough that Father would interfere…and now I wish I had. When she offered to help me train for the Trials, I knew this was how I would find my way.” Her hands ball into fists. “How was I foolish enough to allow a Manchineel to manipulate me?” Her hands quiver, and the skin of her neck fades to a deep crimson. “I apologize for dragging you into this mess. Not when you are here because Father asked.”
He tilts her chin so she blinks up at him. “We won’t have to worry about that bitch for long.”
“I fear my father will never allow me to forget my mistake.”
“Sigvid’s love has always been rough, Princess. Nothing you have done should lead to his disapproval.”
